Greedy Cages Sudoku
(Published on 3. May 2022, 22:41 by Phistomefel)
Here are the rules:
- Fill the grid such that every row, column, and 3x3-box contains each digit from 1 to 9 exactly once.
- In the grid you find a few given numbers. Such a number in the upper left corner of a cell means that this cell is part of a cage whose digits add up to the given number clue. A cage is a set of orthogonally connected cells in which no digit may repeat. Each cage contains exactly one given clue. Cages don't overlap.
- If a clue is a question mark, it is unclear how large the sum of the respective cage is.
- The cages are greedy, i.e. digits in a cage cannot appear in any cell or cages adjacent to their cage.
Here you find a link to the example.
The puzzle is available online via Penpa Plus, as well. Have fun solving!
Solution code: Row 9, column 7
Comments
on 18. February 2024, 20:24 by Snookerfan
Wow! What a puzzle, absolutely brilliant. Thank you
on 1. June 2023, 11:54 by Niverio
Absolutely amazing puzzle! I like how it was very clear where to look, yet the results of the deductions in said areas were very surprising.
on 10. November 2022, 22:34 by DiMono
That is certainly not where I thought the solution would begin. :D
on 10. October 2022, 16:37 by Mody
Was für eine unglaubliche Konstruktion.
Absolut großartig.
What an incredible construction.
on 18. May 2022, 01:51 by Agent
Very nice! I loved how it all unfolded at the end.
on 17. May 2022, 14:57 by Phistomefel
Changed wording. Thanks to wazdra.
on 13. May 2022, 23:07 by lerroyy
Very nice puzzle! This ruleset is really nice. Really liked how box 1 and 2 worked.
on 13. May 2022, 07:57 by Phistomefel
@Jds2: Thank you for keeping at it despite the difficulty. Unfortunately, I haven't found a way to telegraph the opening well.
@OGRussHood: I guess the right answer to that is MUAHAHAHAHA. ;-)
on 13. May 2022, 02:57 by OGRussHood
Another mad puzzle from the mad genius.
on 11. May 2022, 21:35 by Jds2
Great puzzle Stared at this off and on for days before seeing the break-in…but any Phistomefel puzzle solved before Simon’s video is a win.
on 9. May 2022, 17:19 by Phistomefel
Thank you so much for the warm feedback, tlepetit and Prutsbeest! :)
I am very happy to see that you enjoyed the solve.
on 9. May 2022, 10:29 by Prutsbeest
What a beautiful construction this is once again! Very clever break-in, after which the puzzle flows smoothly. Very satisfying!
on 6. May 2022, 14:15 by tlepetit
Very nice puzzle! I did NOT expect that break in.
on 6. May 2022, 06:49 by Phistomefel
Many thanks for the kind feedback, filuta and Playmaker6174! I am especially glad (and somewhat relieved) that you liked the break-in. It was quite surprising to me, as well, when I found it.
on 5. May 2022, 18:50 by Playmaker6174
Absolutely wonderful construction! The initial logics sequence was intricate but beautiful enough to invest my efforts in, then it kept being beautiful up till very end, especially that lovely bits in box 1-2. Thanks for this fun treat as always! :)
on 5. May 2022, 14:01 by filuta
Funny and curious break-in and then basically purely geometrical puzzle masked as a killer, pretty cool. Really thanks a lot for making this!
on 4. May 2022, 10:48 by Phistomefel
Thank you so much for the warm words, polar and RJBlarmo! I am glad the puzzle was to your liking.
on 4. May 2022, 08:12 by Phistomefel
Fixed typo.
on 4. May 2022, 02:56 by RJBlarmo
Wow, very tricky but beautiful logic. The example puzzle was quite helpful towards understanding how the greedy cages worked.
on 4. May 2022, 01:20 by polar
Wonderful original puzzle as always - thank you :)
